Jennifer Swann, Ph.D.
Professor

phone: 610-758-5484
fax: 610-758-4004

Research

Research in the Swann lab is focused on determining how the brain regulates behavior. To this end we use hormones and sex differences as tools to address the problem. Males and females in a number of species display very different, sex specific behaviors, this implies that their brains are also different. Similarly hormones, particularly steroids have dramatic effects on the expression of a number of behaviors. In general, these effects take days to emerge and last for days allowing us to study the brain during the development and expression of the behavior. And steroids have two different effects in the regulation of sex specific behaviors. They “organize” the brain during development casting it as male or female, and they “activate” the brain in adulthood to allow the expression of the behavior.

Our lab has been examining the MPN mag a small nucleus in the caudal lateral aspects of the preoptic area that plays a critical role in male sex behavior by integrating hormonal and pheromonal signals. We have mapped the connections of the nucleus, identified subtle sex differences in neuronal cell type, and are working to determine the biochemical and sub cellular events that mediate steroidal regulation of male sex behavior.

My background also includes studies in circadian rhythms and we have begun to examine circadian influences on adult neurogenesis and apoptosis. I also oversee novel projects initiated by high school students and undergraduates.